š Patreon Supporters š
A special thank-you to my amazing patrons for supporting this fanfiction:
1.Guleid Abdi
2.Tristin Cote-Sayer
3.Tacoma12
4.Logan Thompson
5.66835
Your support keeps the story alive and motivates me to write more ā¤ļø
.....
Master Ye Chen, why in the world would you personally invite the Xiao father and son to a banquet?"
When Gu Ni first heard of Ye Chen's decision, his expression was a mix of bafflement and faint displeasure. To him, it was utterly incomprehensible.
What was the Xiao family, after all?
Just a small, moderately respectable clan in Wutan City .... nothing that could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the great families.
With Ye Chen's identity and influence, even going out of his way to invite them felt absurd.
Outrageous, even! If anyone deserved such a courtesy, it should have been him.
After all, he was a second-rank alchemist .... a man of considerable standing within the Mitel family. His prestige far outstripped that of Xiao Zhan, the Xiao patriarch.
Normally, whenever Xiao Zhan crossed paths with him, he would greet him with deep respect, bordering on servility.
....
"Of course there's a reason."
Ye Chen sat leisurely in the shade of a pavilion within Ya Fei's courtyard, the table before him already laden with delicacies and fine wine. His calm smile carried the weight of unspoken intent.
"Young Master, if it's something you require from the Xiao family, you needn't trouble yourself with such ceremony," Gu Ni said confidently. "I could go directly and inform them. For them, it would be an honor simply to follow your orders."
In Wutan City, who dared refuse the face of Master Gu Ni? He was a second-rank alchemist a distinguished guest no matter where he traveled within the Jia Ma Empire.
....
"Master Gu Ni, you seemā¦ rather full of yourself. It appears you've grown quite used to throwing your weight around," Ye Chen remarked dryly, his eyes narrowing in faint mockery.
Gu Ni froze for a moment, before forcing a smile. "Young Master, you know my standing. In this small city, naturally, people must give me some respect."
"Spare me the boasting," Ye Chen replied sharply. "When the Xiao father and son arrive, keep your arrogance in check.
If you ruin this matter for me, the consequences will be on your head."
Ye Chen had planned today's meeting for a long time .... the first step toward severing a certain engagement.
He would not allow Gu Ni's pride to derail it.
If not for the old man's considerable reputation in Wutan City .... and the fact that he was both a second-rank alchemist and a high-level Grand Fighter ... Ye Chen wouldn't have brought him along at all.
Still, Gu Ni's presence was not without purpose: should Xiao Zhan's temper flare at the mention of breaking off the engagement, Gu Ni could serve as a stabilizing force.
Caution was always wise; one careless misstep could destroy a future as bright as Ye Chen's.
"Don't worry, Young Master Ye Chen. I wouldn't dare delay your affairs," Gu Ni said hurriedly, seeing the younger man's stern expression.
Had it been any other disciple of the Mitel family, Gu Ni would never have been so deferential.
But Ye Chen was no ordinary scion he was talented, favored, and a direct disciple of the prestigious Yunlan Sect.
That made him someone Gu Ni would not risk offending.
"Oh, by the way," Ye Chen suddenly said, as though recalling something, "do you still have that good thing you mentioned last time?"
"What good thing?" Gu Ni blinked, momentarily puzzled ā then realization lit his eyes.
"Stop staring. Do you have it or not? If you do, bring it here," Ye Chen pressed impatiently.
"Didn't you refuse it last time I offered?" Gu Ni asked with a sly smile, though he was already reaching into his storage ring.
Producing a small jade bottle, he handed it over with an ingratiating nod. "Of course I still have it."
Ye Chen took it and tucked it away, his expression serious. "It's not for me, so don't get the wrong idea."
"I understand, I understand," Gu Ni said smoothly, though inwardly he smirked. He couldn't help but marvel at Ya Fei's charm ..... barely two days had passed, and already Young Master Ye Chen was unable to resist her.
In truth, the gift wasn't meant for Ye Chen's personal use.
A man with the physique of a dragon and elephant hardly needed such aids. Rather, it was a token of courtesy ..... something prepared for Xiao Yan, since it would be inappropriate to meet without bringing a gift.
...
Just then, Ya Fei's enchanting voice drifted across the courtyard:
> "Master Xiao, Young Master Xiao, please come this way."
Ye Chen's thoughts snapped back to the present. He turned and saw her approaching with a radiant smile, her graceful figure gliding forward like a flower in bloom.
Behind her came two figures ā a middle-aged man, and a young man about Ye Chen's own age.
The youth in black walked with his head lowered, his delicate features shadowed by a hint of melancholy.
So this is Xiao Yanā¦?
Ye Chen's gaze lingered for a moment, his mind forming its judgment: Not as handsome as me. Not even close.
....
As they approached, Ye Chen adjusted his robes and posture, wearing the faintest of smiles ā a calculated display of poise.
Behind him, Master Gu Ni stood quietly, as instructed.
Though Gu Ni felt slighted by the positioning, he held his place.
The arrangement was deliberate: to place Ye Chen in the spotlight, with Gu Ni's status as a second-rank alchemist serving merely as a backdrop to enhance his own presence.
The effect was immediate. Before they even reached the pavilion, Xiao Zhan's eyes narrowed in subtle surprise at the sight of the impeccably seated young man before him.
This young manā¦
Read more 100+ Chapter Here
patreon.com/HeavenlyYinYang